Google Unveils Glass-Ready Prescription Eyewear

A Glass employee models the Bold version of the new Glass frames.Photos by Ariel Zambelich/WIRED

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Ariel Zambelich/WIRED

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The Split frames.Photos by Ariel Zambelich/WIRED

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The Bold frames.Photos by Ariel Zambelich/WIRED

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The Curve frames.Photos by Ariel Zambelich/WIRED

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The inside view of one of the new sunglass frames.Photos by Ariel Zambelich/WIRED

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The new sunglasses frames (top and bottom) were designed by Maui Jim.Photos by Ariel Zambelich/WIRED

If there’s been one consistent complaint from Google Glass users, it’s that the face computer was incompatible with prescription eyeglasses. In response, Google repeatedly promised that Glass would eventually work with prescription lenses. As of today, that promise is coming true. Existing “Explorers,” Google’s term for those it has selected to try Glass, will be able to order frames in four different styles and a variety of colors. There are three separate sunglass styles you can attach Glass to as well.

All of this goes a long way towards normalizing Glass. As I’ve said before, for it to really take off, Glass has to be something people want to put on their face. It has to be fashionable. The new frames take a big step in this direction. Designed in house by Isabelle Olsson’s team, the frames wouldn’t look out of place in a Warby Parker showroom. The standard versions cost $225 (that’s excluding the actual lenses), while the Maui Jim-designed sunglasses are $150.

Glass has raised all kinds of questions since its release — mostly around privacy. But one that I noticed and that others have commented on is its sometimes ostracizing effect on the wearer. Glass is super noticeable, and frankly, kind of weird-looking. While these new frames won’t make it disappear, they do make Glass much less obvious. If you have a black headset atop black frames, it isn’t going to be nearly as noticeable as the standard headset on its own.

What’s more, the multi-styled frames give Glass users the ability to personalize beyond simple colors. Again, personalization will be a key part of wearables taking off. If I’m going to wear something on my face all the time, it needs to be distinctly mine. Even if what I want is something bland and boring, it should be bland and boring in its own unique way. While this release doesn’t roll out infinite options, it does expand the program enough so that the few thousand Glass users will no longer be segmented by just five color choices.

Another interesting component of the new system? The way Glass actually fits onto the new frames. You just bolt them onto the side — or rather, you have your eye care professional do it for you. Google is currently training technicians to handle Glass through a partnership with eye insurance company VSP. That means that although today you can only use a Google-made frame, eventually it’ll will work with frames from anyone. Hypothetically, that could mean dozens of companies producing frames by the time Glass launches for consumers later in 2014. It also means Google can continue to focus on making the Glass hardware, and let others come up with the frames to fit them.

Google’s new frames will come in a variety of styles and colors. Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED